Phil Hopkins

Position: Wing

Welsh international wing Phil Hopkins had a long career at Swansea Rugby Club from 1902 to 1913, during which time he played in every position behind the scrum as need dictated. Born 31st January 1880, he first played rugby at schoolboy level for the Collegiate School Talyrallt at Alltwen, Pontardawe in the Swansea valley. Later he played for the University College Of Wales at Bangor. He also rowed for Bangor at Henley. An extremely able athlete, he also played soccer, hockey, cricket and tennis to a high standard, and was reserve for both Wales Hockey XI and Wales Amateur Soccer XI.

He joined Swansea Rugby Club from Pontardawe RFC in 1902 and was a regular in the 1st XV through the versatility of positions he could cover. A wing of great speed, Hopkins had a temendous season in 1908-09 for Swansea and was selected to play for Glamorgan County against the first Australian touring side at Pontypridd on 7th October 1908. Glamorgan were beaten 3 - 16 but Hopkins had played well and was selected for his first Welsh cap against the tourists at Cardiff on 12th December 1908. He marked his debut by scoring one of Wales' two tries to narrowly beat the Australians 9 - 6. A fortnight later, he turned out for Swansea at St Helens to play Australia for a third time, on Boxing Day 1908. Swansea gained a famous 6 - 0 victory and their first tourist scalp. In 1909 Phil Hopkins played twice in the Welsh Triple Crown winning side, against England and Ireland, scoring a try in each match. He won his last Welsh cap in 1910 in the loss to England, the only Welsh match he'd failed to score in or lost.

Employed as a foreman, Phil Hopkins died on 26th September 1966 aged 86 years, just months before Swansea were to repeat the feat of defeating the Wallabies at St Helens.